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‘Beyond Just Riding’ Classes & ‘Kiddie Clinics’ about Horses Are Offered at Watchung Stable

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – “Beyond Just Riding” is a series of five winter classes being offered for participants ages nine through adult on Sundays at Watchung Stable in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the classes will be on Sunday mornings from January 27 through February 24.

“Kiddie Clinics” will be offered on three Saturday mornings for children ages three through eight to expand their knowledge of horses. These specialized non-riding mini-clinics will be on three Saturdays: January 26, February 2 and February 9.

“We are pleased to continue these programs at Watchung Stable that explore different equestrian topics with no actual riding,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The clinics will help people learn simple behaviors of the horse and what it actually takes to own your own horse.”

Each “Beyond Just Riding” session will last 90 minutes and will focus on one of a variety of horse and horsemanship topics. Participants, ages nine through adult, are invited to register for as many classes as they would like. All riding levels are welcome. The sessions will be held in the barn or the lecture area of the stable. The cost is $20 per person for each 90-minute class.

The winter “Beyond Just Riding” classes are being offered as follows:

  • Jan. 27     10 to 11:30 a.m. Grooming and Tacking Up;
  • Feb. 3       10 to 11:30 a.m. Behavior of Horses;
  • Feb. 10     10 to 11:30 a.m. Basic Tack and Care of Tack;
  • Feb. 17     10 to 11:30 a.m. Advanced Grooming;
  • Feb. 24     10 to 11:30 a.m. What It Takes to Own a Horse.

The Saturday morning “Kiddie Clinics” for children ages three through eight are one-hour sessions designed to introduce youngsters to the Watchung Stable and the world of horses. Each of the three clinics is offered on the three Saturdays. “Just the Two of Us” grooming sessions are included so a parent and child can participate together. The clinics will be held in the barn or the lecture area of the stable. The cost is $10 per person for each one-hour clinic.

Each of the Kiddie Clinics will be offered on Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 at the following times:

  • 9 to 10 a.m. – Mini-Grooming: for children ages 6-8;
  • 10 to 11 a.m. – Colorful World of Horses: children ages 6-8 learn about different breeds;
  • 11 a.m. to noon – Just the Two of Us: mini-grooming for children ages 3-5 with a parent.

 

Space is limited for the “Beyond Just Riding” classes and the “Kiddie Clinics” and in-person pre-registration is required at Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. For further information, call the Watchung Stable office at 908-789-3665 or e-mail your question to stablequestions@ucnj.org

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .